Billingshurst in a real battle to save season

Billingshurst find themselves in a real battle after a 6-1 defeat at Ifield saw them drop into the bottom two.

In what ‘Hurst boss Mark Betts labelled an “error strewn performance”, hat-tricks from both Gary Pritchard and midfielder Clive Piller - including two penalties - handed the Crawley side a comfortable win.

Chris Osbourne had equalised for Billingshurst after conceding an early goal, and Ollie Saunders also missed a good chance to put them ahead. ‘Hurst weren’t helped by a straight red for Phil Awcock for a handball on the goal line, and the defeat leaves them level on 14 points with bottom side Rottingdean. Although it is unclear how many, if any side will be relegated, Betts doesn’t want to take the risk of a return to West Sussex Football. He said: “I’ve been told different things so we have to make sure we don’t finish in the bottom two.” With just three games left Betts added: “This Saturday’s game at (third from bottom) Hurstpierpoint is massive.”